2013 Record: 4-8

2014 Las Vegas Season Win Total: 4.5 (Over -120, Under -110)

2014 Season Win Total Prediction: 'Over'

Kent State was an 11-win team in 2012 before they absolutely fell apart in 2013. The Golden Flashes won a meager four times in 2013, but that was due to inexperience and injuries. That team managed four wins and this one only has to be one game better to eclipse the posted total. I, for one, see them doing so.

Kent State's offense was lead by redshirt freshman Colin Reardon and an injured running back in Traylon Durham. I see, quite simply, an improvement for both of those skill players, and that in turn brings on more victories. Durham ran for over 1,300 yards in 2012. And if, or should I say when, he gets back to full strength he will be more like that back than the one he was in 2013. Reardon will also have the services of his number one wideout, Chris Humphrey, back this season. I am not saying that Humphrey is a beast, but when a QB gets his top target back for another season good things happen more often that not.

The defensive side of the ball is why I see Kent State eclipsing their posted total. Yes, they lost Roosevelt Nix, but they return a very good linebacking core and a solid secondary. The Golden Flashes brought in two sophomore transfers in Najee Murray (Ohio State) and Nick Cuthbert (Georgia Tech) to give their secondary depth and a possible boost.

Kent State is one of the MAC clubs that did not draw a favorable out-of-conference schedule as they travel to Virginia and Ohio State. I do see them taking out Army and grabbing at least four more wins in league play. Look for the Golden Flashes to flirt with .500 like many of their counterparts in the MAC East.

2014 Houston Cougars Schedule

DATE OPPONENT TIME (ET) Location Result

Sat, Aug 30th, 2014 Ohio 06:00 PM Dix Stadium

Sat, Sep 6th, 2014 South Alabama 02:00 PM Dix Stadium

Sat, Sep 13th, 2014 @ Ohio State 12:00 PM Ohio Stadium

Sat, Sep 27th, 2014 @ Virginia TBD Scott Stadium

Sat, Oct 4th, 2014 @ Northern Illinois TBD Huskie Stadium

Sat, Oct 11th, 2014 UMASS TBD Dix Stadium

Sat, Oct 18th, 2014 Army 03:30 PM Dix Stadium

Sat, Oct 25th, 2014 @ Miami (OH) TBD Yager Stadium

Tue, Nov 4th, 2014 Toledo 08:00 PM Dix Stadium

Wed, Nov 12nd, 2014 @ Bowling Green 08:00 PM Doyt Perry Stadium

Wed, Nov 19th, 2014 @ Buffalo 08:00 PM U.B. Stadium

Tue, Nov 25th, 2014 Akron 07:00 PM InfoCision Stadium

All Times EST

*Season Win Total Odds from Raphael Esparza. Esparza was a Las Vegas sportsbook manager for 13 years at some of the largest books on The Strip. He is a proven oddsmaker and this is his projected total.

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